Arizona Epic Adventures -Inner Basin Upward-Camp at 11,000ft

[Orange]

Located just north of Flagstaff in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness are the two tallest peaks in Arizona. It is from within this wilderness area, the Humphreys and Agassiz peaks dominate the landscape from their respective heights of 12,637ft and 12,353ft. Needless to say, these are Arizona’s giants. Just below these giants, yet well within the depths of their shadows, is an awesome little saddle that offers absolutely spectacular views of the great state of Arizona. Ok, ok…so the area is not in any constant shadows, but at 11,000ft and being adjacent to the other mountains, we will probably spend at least some time in the shade!

The place I am referring to is Doyle Saddle...(or is it Freemont Saddle?). It is a neat little area, with surprisingly a lot of flat ground to make camp. In fact, the area was once used as a camp (I believe by Weatherford himself), as evidenced by the old rusted Ford Model-T axle and metal oven up at the location. There is evidence of much more recent use of the site as well, as there is a fire ring at the site. I suspect this area does not see a lot of camping use, but being right outside of the inner basin boundary (the no camping zone of the wilderness), this is really quite the idyllic spot…especially with the views!

-Poochie
http://www.meetup.com/Arizona-Epic-Adventures-Under35/

[Tough_Boots]

@Poochie

I think mostly we're just having fun giving you a hard time ;)

[outdoor_lover]

What I have found, again, in my experiences, is that if you let the age of the group go unrestricted, you end up with a group of people who frankly can have trouble relating to each other around the campfire.

It is apparent that you've never been around a HAZfest Campfire.... You might consider attending our HAZfest Event next month, it may change your perception a little and I think you would enjoy it...

Completely agree with Tough_Boots comment...I don't think anyone was truly "offended", I think that everyone just happened to be in "speculation" mode... And I think the "whirlwind" of Events that you put up at one time just took everyone by surprise...

[chumley]

Per the rules I agreed to, I felt that my posts were in-line with all policies

Indeed they are. If they weren't, they would have been deleted.

My ONLY goal, is to start a great meetup group with a very active core group that loves going out into the wild, going on all kinds of trips, doesn't mind shenanigans around the fire after a long hard day of hiking, and whose members do not easily get offended.

You really should consider stopping by hazfest. Even if just for a few hours or maybe the night before or after your trip. I think most there fit your description very well.

[azbackpackr]

I thought Poochie gave a good explanation of his motives for the events postings. I had to chuckle, though, at the idea that I'd be "offended" by anything, even now in my dotage age of 60, since the last few hikes I've been on have included skinny dipping, hiking naked, plus a wee bit of boozing and 420-friendly activities. I am sure there is something that could offend me, however, such as annoying uncontrolled dogs, fireworks during a drought, littering, not practicing LNT principles, and most especially, that brand of "yes ma'am, no ma'am" redneck sexism so prevalent in Arizona.

But in my experience, it's the under-40's that have the most hangups, especially with nudity.

[Tough_Boots]

But in my experience, it's the under-40's that have the most hangups, especially with nudity.

yeah... but only when it involves the over-40's

[CannondaleKid]

Thanks for the thorough intro.

Seems kind of funny now... if that intro came along with the first posts this thread would have a post count of 2-3 instead of 45(now 46).
;)

[juliachaos]

@Poochie
I've never done Inner Basin, but it's been on my list for quite some time. Will you guys be going up Friday or Saturday? I'm just interested in a day trip to the summit, but if you'll be up there at the same time it would be nice to have a hiking partner or two.

It's tough to get a Meetup group up and running, and even harder to keep it going. Looks like you guys have some fun adventures in your future. Good luck to you!

[Orange]

@Poochie
I've never done Inner Basin, but it's been on my list for quite some time. Will you guys be going up Friday or Saturday? I'm just interested in a day trip to the summit, but if you'll be up there at the same time it would be nice to have a hiking partner or two.

We'll be heading up Friday night and camping to the west...we plan on heading over to the inner basing trail Saturday morning and making our way up to Freemont Saddle. If you'd like to meetup and head up the the IB trail together, we could definitely do that! Just let me know...

As far as everyone else and the HAZfest...where is everybody hanging Friday night? Lastly, I'm pretty certain I'm going to be dropping the age limitation on my meetup group. I don't want to deter people who would otherwise be interested. So if you are interested in joining Arizona Epic Adventures, check us out over at meetup. Like I mentioned earlier, there are tons of things on the calendar.

- Poochie

[outdoor_lover]

@Poochie
Everything pertaining to the HAZfest Event can be found here... viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7679&start=80

[Orange]

Wow... Thanks for the information. This sounds right up my alley. Count me in for Friday night for sure!

[big_load]

@Poochie I hope you can make it to Hazfest. I'm sure it will be worth the trip. And thanks for reconsidering the age limit. You're opening the door to some really good people.

[outdoor_lover]

@Poochie
You don't absolutely have to for this Event, but you can "sign up" at the top....

[Orange]

For the record... I have removed the "35 & Under" component of my meetup group ;) .

[whereveriroam]

Poochie let this old fart (43 years old) join up on his past weekends West Cabin loop backpack. Hopefully I left a good impression and he did raise the age limit on his group. This group is VERY dog friendly and cool for those who know me, know what I mean.

Poochie's been backpacking for a year and has the fever, reminds me of me from 15 years ago. He's got a big bucket list and seems to be a sadistic backpacker like myself. He seems to be a good person and I asked him what the 35 and under was about (he was a leader in the other -35 club).

It sounds like they or he had bad experiences with bitter about life older people, strange antisocial middle aged males and generation gap problems. I feel and act like I'm 28-33 so I think I left a good impression, fit-in, and was able to keep up. Cut the guy some slack, he means well. There are to many backpacking meetup groups and few do hard trips, I would like to see this one stick around.

[azbackpackr]

I feel and act like I'm 28-33.

I can relate to that!
I agree about the hard trips. I may be getting to a point in life where I am not going to be jumping off Pt. Huitzil again (or maybe I will, who knows--my only real problem on that trip was my boots--long story and thank goodness for Teva sandals) but I do really like to train up and be ready for harder trips. It gives me something to live for. I do truly tire of seeing the endless meetups doing R2R, which (as I have redundantly and tirelessly--or tiresomely--repeated over the years) I have absolutely no interest in, and Havasupai (been there, done that, too many times), and what's the other one, oh, Paria. But you never see North Bass on anyone's meetup group, or Nankoweap or the Gems. I don't want to go places that are trammeled and overrun and overly popular and famous. I can't summon up any interest in Paria, haven't been there, but it has been super popular since the 70's, so I can't seem to get interested. And if you post up a really interesting hike that people haven't heard of, so many of them have that herd mentality. They haven't heard of it, so they don't sign up.

I'm afraid, though, if I get a permit for North Bass, the Gems or Nanko and post it up in a meetup I'll end up with people who can't do the hike. Not to mention those bitter middle-aged males, who may not only be antisocial but also misogynistic. (I have run into that problem on river trips as well. Talk about tiresome...)

You could join a canyoneering meetup for some of the harder stuff, but that's actually a different sport, needing new gear and some lessons.

[PLC92084]

'm afraid, though, if I get a permit for North Bass, the Gems or Nanko and post it up in a meetup I'll end up with people who can't do the hike. Not to mention those bitter middle-aged males, who may not only be antisocial but also misogynistic.

Does this mean you won't let me go on your Nankoweap hike!?

[The_Eagle]

@azbackpackr
I'm more of a philogynist myself, and on the other hand have known some misandrist's.

[azbackpackr]

'm afraid, though, if I get a permit for North Bass, the Gems or Nanko and post it up in a meetup I'll end up with people who can't do the hike. Not to mention those bitter middle-aged males, who may not only be antisocial but also misogynistic.

Does this mean you won't let me go on your Nankoweap hike!?

[azbackpackr]

Will post it later, I tried, but my internet is messed up. Prefer N. Bass rather than tourist circus at Nanko.